Exercising apparatus.



llo. 650,656. Patented May 29, I900.

J. A. RAABE. I EXERCISING APPARATUS. (Application filed Nov 20, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

TIA-5.1,

Patented May 29, I900.

(Application filed Nov. 20, 1599.

2 Sheets$hqet 2 (No Model.)

FIE.2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS A. RAABE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

EXERCISING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,656, dated May 29,1900. Application filed November 20, 1899. Serial Ho. 737,582. (Inmodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUS A. RAABE, of the cityof St. Louis, in theState of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inExercisers, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart hereof.

My invention relates to exercisers; and it consists of the novelconstruction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing my improved exerciser inposition and use upon a body. Fig. 2 is aview in perspective of theexerciser. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a hook made use of in carryingout my invention. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective ofa strap thatsurrounds the heel and ankle and which is used in connection with theexerciser.

In the construction of my improved exerciser I make use of abelt 1, ofleather or webbing, which passes around the waist of the wearer, andfixed to the front and rear portions of said belt are theupwardly-extendin g inverted-U-shaped straps 2, which pass directly overthe shoulders, and uniting the rear portions of these straps 2, at apoint just behind the shoulders, is the back-strap 3, and on the insideof the ends of said back-strap 3 are the pads 4. Fixed in any suitablemanner to the ends of the back-strap 3 and on the outside of theshoulder-straps 2 are the rings 5, and similar rings 6 are secured inany suitable manner to the lower ends of the rear portions of theshoulder-straps 2 at the points where the same join with the belt 1.

In my improved exerciser I make use of a plurality of elastic bands ortapes 7, the same being preferably bands of rubber covered in anysuitable manner, and upon the ends of each of the elastic sections isarranged a hook, such as is seen in Fig. 3, said hook comprisingatubular body portion 8, slightly tapered, which body portion is formedfrom a coil of wire, the end of said coil being formed into a hook 9. Tothe hooks on the outer ends of the elastic sections, which are securedto the rings 5, are secured suitable handles 10, and arranged to passaround the heels of the user of the exerciser are the straps 11, to therear ends of which are secured rings 12.

When my improved exerciser is in use, the belt is buckled around thewaist, the shoulder-straps 2 passing upwardly over the shoulders, asseen in Fig. 1, and the handles 10 on each of the elastic sections 7,that are engaged in the rings 5, are now grasped by the hands of theuser, and the arms are succes- 6o sively extended, elevated, and broughtforwardly, which movements necessarily stretch the elastic sections 7,and these movements, combined with the constant retractile movement ofsaid elastic sections, tend to exercise and strengthen the variousmuscles of the arms, back, and chest. If desired, the hooks on the upperends of the pair of elastic sections may be engaged in the rings, andthe hooks on the lower ends thereof are engaged 7c in the rings 12,carried by the heel-straps, and by successively elevating the feet bymoving the same rearwardly the user of the exerciser may exercise thelimbs simultaneous with the exercise of the arms.

An exerciser of my improved construction is simple, easily positionedfor use, readily yields to any movement of the user, and permits thearms and body to be moved in any direction, and the limbs and arms canbe simultaneously exercised, and said exerciser can be used while aperson iswalking or running.

I claim- 1. In an exerciser, a belt, shoulder-straps 85 secured to saidbelt, elastic sections secured to said shoulder-straps, handles carriedby the outer ends of said elastic sections, a sec ond set of elasticsections secured to the belt, and means whereby the lower ends of said90 second set of elastic sections are connected to the feet of the userof the exerciser, substantially as specified.

2. In an exerciser, a belt, shoulder-straps securedto said belt, aplnrality'of elastic sec- 95 tions detachably secured to said belt andshoulder sections, means whereby the outer ends of said elastic sectionsare engaged by the hands and feet of the user of the exerciser,substantially as specified.

3. In an exerciser, a belt, straps secured to and passing over theshoulders from said belt,

a back-strap connecting said shoulder-straps, elastic sectionsdetachably secured to the ends of the back-strap, and elastic sectionssecured to the lower ends of the shoulderstraps, substantially asspecified.

4. In an exerciser, the combination with a plurality of non-elasticstraps for surrounding the upper portion of the body, of a pair ofelastic sections detachably secured to said 10 straps, the outer ends ofwhich sections are adapted to be engaged by the hands of the user, .of asecond pair of elastic sections secured to said straps below thefirst-mentioned pair, and the outer ends of which are adapted to beengaged by the feet of the user, sub- 15 stantially as specified. A Intestimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JULIUS A. RAABE. Witnesses:

EDWARD E. LO'NGAN', M. P. SMITH.

